How To Get Work ExperienceHelping You Find Work Experience Across The UK

We bring you practical ways on how to get work experience and take your career further. From applying to your local work place, to using WEXO and the National Apprenticeship services, learn the tricks of the trade. Find work experience without tears!

Despite the seemingly very high rate of unemployment in
the UK currently, there are over half a million vacancies waiting to be filled. The obstacle
to getting jobs for many graduates and non graduate position is work
experience. According to WEXO, over 56% of recruiters say experience is the most
important asset a candidate can possess, with or without formal qualifications.

So, it's no gain saying; get a work experience if you
don't have one, to boost your chances of getting a UK job fast. How to get work experience?

The argument whether or not work experience should be
done without pay rages on. Whichever part of the divide you are in, or no
matter how you feel about working without pay for experience, one thing is
clear: without a work experience, you cannot get a job in certain disciplines.

So, what is work experience? This is the voluntary
attachment of one's self to understudy and work with an experienced
professional or tradesman in a given field, with the sole aim of learning hands-on,
how things are done in that trade. Such experience typically last for a few
weeks up to 6 months on the average.

Yes. It is a form of apprenticeship.

It is common to undertake such unpaid voluntary work
while in college to find out more about a given field of interest, or at the
end of a course of study, to see how one fits into his chosen field.

Many find that after gaining their paper qualification
in a given field, working under the tutelage of a certified and experienced practitioner is key to gaining the know-how
and confidence needed to perform on their own with little or no supervision.

A work experience, apart from helping provide the
needed hands-on experience, albeit for a short time, it is often an avenue to
be watched and known by senior practitioners who should then be able to provide
you with a written work related reference for performance, character and ability in that field.

If you have just graduated from the university or
college and do not have an experience in a given field you hope to work in, do
not delay. Look for an employer that will be willing to offer you work
experience. It is worth it.

Professions Requiring Work Experience

Most jobs will require you have hands on experience
after graduating before you are entrusted with the responsibility of looking
after their interest, or concerns. There
are employments though, that require you to compulsorily have experience before you can be taken on board.
They include:

Computer graduates (General IT and
networking - MCSE, CISCO, etc)

Law graduates and legal assistants

Foreign Medical graduates after passing
their PLAB exams

Engineering graduates

Journalism

Photography graduates

Fashion trainees

Trainee accountants

Beauty therapists

Architects

Interior designers

Pharmacists

Physiotherapist

And more.

The fact is more and more recruiters require you have some form of experience. That takes us to how to get work experience.

How To Get A Work Experience

Hopefully you are clear about what type of work experience
you are seeking in terms type of job. If you are a trainee accountant for
example, you will be looking to get attached to an accounting firm.

The best approach to how to get work experience will
obviously be to use both the internet and work of mouth. You could use social
networking sites like LinkedIn to seek for companies matching your work profile.
You should also search ( or Google) for the list of accounting forms within a radius
you are willing and able to travel to.

Draft your CV
and highlight the fact that you are seeking work experience. Sell yourself.
Let them know your strength and what you will bring to your business.

If you are willing to take up an unpaid work experience
(and most will be unpaid), say so. This breaks the ice and makes people willing
to offer you a place, if available.

Also state your hours and for how long - usually go for
4 to 6 weeks, and no more than 3 months, if your type of job allows that. If
you can afford a 6 month attachment, then by all means, do it, if offered.

You may be able
to negotiate to work under such setting for say three days a week for a month
or two, and do some other paid job on the other days you are not there, to pay
your way, if money is a significant issue. Do not be afraid to discuss this
during your application process.

If you can, physically go into each of those office,
book an appointment with the manager or principal of the establishment through their secretary if possible, stating
that you which to discuss a career development matter with them.

Present yourself on that day as if for interview. Be at
your best. Remember, first impression do
stay on for a very long time. You never can tell. Your work experience encounter
may turn out to be your job offer for life.

If you are looking to do a very formal and perhaps extended work experience or apprenticeship, then contact apprenticeships.org.uk. They providea well structured and industry specific hand on apprenticeship training on a very wide range of careers to prospective employees.